Which song was initially planned as the opening track of Metallica's 1991 album Metallica?

“Holier Than Thou” was initially planned as the opening track of Metallica’s 1991 album Metallica.

The band eventually chose “Enter Sandman” to open the record, but the decision was not automatic. According to the documentary A Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica, producer Bob Rock believed the album contained several songs with strong commercial potential and argued that “Holier Than Thou” should be the first song and first single.

Lars Ulrich strongly favored “Enter Sandman.” After discussions with Ulrich and James Hetfield, the band changed direction. “Enter Sandman” became both the opening track and the lead single, while “Holier Than Thou” appeared later on the album.

The change illustrates how sequencing and single choices can shape an album’s public identity. “Enter Sandman” offered a concise, instantly recognizable introduction, whereas “Holier Than Thou” retained a more aggressive, fast-moving character associated with Metallica’s earlier work.